Bedford

Bedford's population grew between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in marriage, religion and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 160,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Bedford increased by 6.5%, from just under 148,000 to 157,000.

The addition of almost 9,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Bedford was home to, on average, 2.4 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Bedford

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Bedford increased by three years, from 36 to 39 years.

This suburban area had a slightly lower average age than Eastof England and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,700 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 2,000.

About 15% of people in Bedford are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Bedford

The percentage of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased in Bedford, but at a slower rate than across Eastof England.

In Bedford, the proportion of single people increased from 29% in 2001 to 32% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 27% to 31%.

Across Eastof England, the share of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 27% to 31%.

The proportion of married people in Bedford fell from 53% to 49%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 11% to 12%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

More single parents

The percentage of households in Bedford, which comprised a single parent, increased from 8.2% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in three (36%) households had a married couple, compared with 38% in 2001. The percentage of households in Bedford, which comprised a cohabiting couple, decreased from 9.0% to 8.9%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased faster here than in any other local authority district across Eastof England. The improvement brought health in Bedford close to the national average 11% in England described their health as good in 2011).

The percentage of households with a single-parent in Bedford increased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bedford, Eastof England and England that had a single parent, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Bedford

The 2011 Census asked a voluntary question about religion. Of those who chose to disclose their religious affiliation, 25% said they had no religion. An increase from 16% in 2001 makes this the fastest-growing religious group in Bedford.

The percentage increased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Bedford that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 100,000 in 2001 to just over 93,000 in 2011 (from 69% to 59%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just over 13,000 to about 10,000 (from 8.8% to 6.6%).

About 8,600 people (3.3%) said they were Muslim, up from just over 4,800 in 2001 (5.5%).

The population without a religion in Bedford increased by 8.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Bedford

The percentage of Bedford residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.7% to 3.3% in the decade to 2011.

The percentage who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 7.1%, while the percentage of Bedford residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Bedford

In 2011, 81% of the local population said they were from the White ethnic groups. A decrease from 87% in 2001 makes this the fastest-growing ethnic group in Bedford.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Bedford from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 12,000 in 2001 to about 18,000 in 2011 (from 8.2% to 11%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 3,900 to just over 6,200 (from 2.6% to 3.9%).

About 5,400 people (2.0%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from about 2,900 in 2001 (3.4%).

The population from the White ethnic groups in Bedford decreased by 6.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

In Bedford, the proportion of private renting increased from 9.9% in 2001 to 16% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 8.6% to 15%.

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in Bedford remained close to 16%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 72% to 66%.

Private renting in Bedford increased by 6 percentage points

Percentage of households in Bedford, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Bedford residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.3% to 4.5% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 71% in 2001. The percentage of Bedford residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Bedford decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Bedford, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Changes in family structure

The percentage of households in Bedford without children decreased from 60% to 59% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (32%) households had at least one dependent child, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage of households in Bedford with only adult children living with their parents increased from 9.0% to 9.7%.

The proportion of households without children fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (which remained close to 61%). Across England, the percentage remained close to 61%.

The proportion of households without children was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of households without children across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Bedford residents that were unemployed increased from 3.1% to 4.5% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in two (54%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 56% in 2001. The percentage of Bedford residents that were self-employed increased from 8.0% to 9.5%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.6% in 2001 to 3.8% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Bedford increased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Bedford, Eastof England and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More people worked short hours

The percentage of employed people in Bedford working less than 16 hours increased from 1.9% to 3.2% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under one in nine (11%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 14% in 2001.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 1.9% in 2001 to 2.9% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 1.9% to 3.1%.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week in Bedford increased by 1.3 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Bedford, Eastof England and England that said they had worked less than 16 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

The percentage of Bedford residents that provided at least 50 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.7% to 2.0% between the last two censuses.

The percentage who reported providing between 20 and 49 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 1.0%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 1.8% in 2001 to 2.2% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 2.1% to 2.4%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in Bedford remained close to 2.0%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Bedford by care, March 2001 and March 2011

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